Haojing City
Two figures broke through the air and emerged. As Zhang Jian appeared, he felt as if he had returned to an ocean of Dragon Qi. The majestic Emperor's Qi and Dragon Qi surged into the Emperor Position of Sheji and the Human Emperor's Fate, bringing back that feeling of near omnipotence.
In the Imperial Palace, with Zhang Jian's return, the Palace of the Imperial Harem became lively once more.
Empress Bai also returned from Bai Shui.
After the joyful reunion, Zhang Jian began to rebuild a Blessed Land Grotto Heaven.
This time, however, it was not for the Great Xia Dynasty but solely for the Zhang Family.
Naturally, to establish a Saint King's Family, one must have their own foundation.
Zhang Jian was also strategizing a future path for Madam Zhang.
There is no eternal Saint King Dynasty in the world, even if one day he truly ascends as the Saint King. But how long can this Saint King's Ascension last after he completes his merits and ascends?
He must leave some foundation for Madam Zhang.
However, before this, he must find a place rich in Spiritual Qi and filled with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism for Madam Zhang.
Zhang Jian had once carefully considered the Shuangfeng Mountain Range, the place of Zhang Family's rise.
The Shuangfeng Mountain Range is abundant in Spiritual Mechanism, with hidden Spirit Veins below. It should be an excellent choice. However, it is too close to the Zhang Family Ancestral Land. If one day the Zhang Family loses the Map of Mountains and Rivers, this place would not be suitable as a refuge.
A smart rabbit has three burrows.
Madam Zhang wants to establish a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, and it is better to be farther away.
However, it must not be too remote.
It must not be far from the Cultivation Realm.
"Such a place is hard to find. It seems more attention is needed!"
Bai Liying, upon learning of Zhang Jian's idea, made a suggestion.
"Your Majesty may consider the overseas territories!"
"Overseas territories?"
In the West Palace, looking at the vast Ping Lake in front of him, Zhang Jian's eyes showed a trace of surprise.
Bai Liying's jade-like features carried a bright look, her lively eyes as tranquil as autumn water.
"The overseas territories refer to the Qingping Sea and Celestial Wind Sea. Whether it is the Qingping Sea or the Celestial Wind Sea, there are many Spirit Islands. The overseas Cultivation Realm is equally prosperous. It is extremely far from the East Continent. If one day our Zhang Family needs refuge, that would be the ideal place!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian glanced at Bai Liying and smiled.
"Princess, your words awaken those in dreams. If so, it should not be missed!"
Bai Liying thought for a moment and said, "Is Your Majesty not recently seeking various cultivation secret techniques? Five years from now, the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace will host the Sea King Festival, held once every three hundred years. There will be a grand Sea King Celebration, with many high-ranking figures from major sects invited. A Sea King Market will also form. Perhaps you could take this opportunity to consider it!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.
He indeed needed to purchase Earth Attribute cultivation secret techniques, as well as those related to life and death.
He originally planned to inquire with the Canal Dragon Palace whether any large markets had recently formed in the East Continent. Since the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace will hold the Sea King Festival in five years, there is no need for such trouble.
Zhang Jian felt quite happy, and said again.
"Princess, I recall that you seem to have an elder sister married far away at the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace. Let us visit her on the way!"
"We can visit Elder Sister and the eldest nephew together!"
Zhang Jian's face held a slight smile.
His father-in-law originally had four daughters, with Bai Liying being the fourth and youngest.
The other three had long since married far away.
Even the Bai Nu's Dragon Transformation celebration could not be attended in time, possibly due to not having high status in their husband's home.
Upon hearing this, Bai Liying's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
...
Three months passed like flowing water. When the time came, Zhang Jian returned once more to the Tongshan Dao Lineage to retrieve the Taiyin Golden Elixirs.
Twenty Taiyin Star Souls were refined into nearly fifty Taiyin Golden Elixirs.
This amounted to one Taiyin Star Soul forming three to three pills.
The loss rate was not low.
The sect's alchemist charged a commission of twenty-five percent, taking thirteen Taiyin Golden Elixirs as commission, and Zhang Jian left six for True Monarch Zhanmo as a gift for his teacher.
In the end, he received thirty-one.
Zhang Jian was satisfied.
Of the thirty-one he received, Zhang Jian left one each for Zhang Yi and Zhang Xian, who were cultivating within the Dao Lineage.
With their level of Dao practice, one Taiyin Golden Core is enough for them to absorb for a long time.
And after returning to the Imperial Court, Zhang Jian gave Bai Liying two cores. With her Golden Core Realm level of Dao practice, absorbing two is almost her limit.
As for the remaining twenty-seven, Zhang Jian summoned the Four Symbols Divine Beast, giving each two cores to help strengthen their Divine Soul.
He then bestowed two more to the Taiyin Fairy.
It was a gesture of reciprocation.
The Taiyin Fairy obtained the complete inheritance of the Xiyue Sword Sect, providing hope for her to become an immortal in the future. Naturally, Zhang Jian would nurture and draw her in.
In a short time, he was left with only seventeen Taiyin Golden Cores.
Then Zhang Jian summoned Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi, besides Zhang Jian, was the second cultivator of the Zhang Family, though his talent was lacking. Only recently he barely achieved Divination Foundation Establishment and cultivated magical power.
Considering the grace of his passing down techniques, Zhang Jian awarded him a chance once more by giving him one Taiyin Golden Core.
One Taiyin Golden Core was enough to cleanse his marrow and cut his fur, transforming his ordinary foundation into having a spirit root with the Taiyin attribute.
As for how far he goes in the future, that will depend on his self-cultivation.
...
A year later, Dong Shen Temple, Observatory Platform
Silver-white spiritual light densely surrounded Zhang Jian, and at the depths of his brow resided the substantial Sheji Emperor's Great God Primordial Spirit divine light radiating outward, as if a grand deity walked from the heavens to reality.
An intense layer of divine light circulated around him.
It was his body-protecting divine light.
"After consuming four Taiyin Golden Cores, the effect is gradually weakening—only about a third of what it was initially..."
Zhang Jian sensed his vast and grand Primordial Spirit Divine Sense.
The substantial Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit seemed to approach nine zhang in height.
A nine zhang Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit!
Zhang Jian had never heard of any Creation Realm Primordial Spirit Grand Master whose primordial spirit could grow to this level; it was astounding.
With the sheer power of the Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit alone, he could directly suppress Unity Realm Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, let alone after performing additional Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques.
"The Taiyin Golden Core should still be consumable for another two, after which its effect would further decrease to about one-fifth, but since there's plenty of it, I'm not worried about wasting it!"
After some thought, Zhang Jian swallowed another Taiyin Golden Core.
He continued the refinement, strengthening the Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit.
...
Ten days later at the Observatory Platform, Zhang Jian sat cross-legged, gazing at the majestic Daoist temple below in the Imperial City, with a hint of reflection in his eyes.
Now, the Taiyin Golden Core's effect on him was virtually negligible.
Continuing to consume would have little impact, and it would be a waste of the treasure.
He glanced at the towering Imperial Palace below, having entrusted the court affairs entirely to Zhang Zhao, confident that Zhang Zhao wouldn't disappoint him.
Zhang Jian decided to take this opportunity to continue his isolation, as the multitude of Unity Realm Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques within him was at their peak, with the Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit, even his Dao heart and magical power, all perfected to the pinnacle of the Creation Level.
"It's time to break through to the Unity Realm!"
Zhang Jian thought to himself.
He hadn't been in the Creation Realm for long, but due to the immense Creation Spirit Light Star River condensed at the Golden Body Realm, he managed to perfect the Creation Primordial Spirit in a short time.
At this moment, Zhang Jian felt ready to enter the origin of the Sheji Great Dao Laws at any time, complete the Unity, and master the law origins.
Feeling his accumulation at its peak, Zhang Jian slightly adjusted his state of mind.
Three days later, when all conditions were at their peak, he didn't hesitate. As he meditated, the Sheji Emperor's Primordial Spirit synced with the Map of Mountains and Rivers, a point of his Primordial Spirit Divine Sense delved into the depths of the vast Sheji Great Dao Law, and he seemed to disappear into the void in a single step.
...
Near the outskirts of Haojing City, before West Mountain Temple, during another golden autumn month, countless golden rice fields were scattered under the mountain like layers of golden waves. Many dignitaries enjoyed standing here, gazing at the plains below.
Among them, an elderly figure in a Daoist robe was also gazing from afar at the fields below, with a hint of amazement in his eyes.
"It seems that the Zhang family's replacement of the Wei family is indeed more suitable; at least these people are well-fed and clothed!"
Watching the busy commonfolk below, a trace of a smile emerged in his eyes.
Soon, he cast his gaze beside the West Mountain Temple.
There, another palace had risen.
As Dong Shen Temple gradually moved its Daoist temple from Haojing City, the main temple of Dong Shen Temple was now situated here.
With his vast Primordial Spirit Divine Sense, he had already spotted some old acquaintances, his eyes slightly shifting, but he did not intend to enter Dong Shen Temple. Instead, he was planning to enter the Imperial City.
He thought it was time to have a chat with that Great Xia Emperor.